Tilting and locking steering wheel



Dec. 11 1923.

1 376,742 E. H. vxNcENT TILTING AND LCKNG STEERNG WHEEL Filed Nov. 17',1919 EN M \k\\" s 111111111211',

Bee. 11 1923.

E. H. VINCENT TILTING AND LOCKING STEERING WHEEL Filed NGV- 1'7, 1919 4Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/Wm R im v ln mmx/ Dec. 11 1923.

E. H. VINCENT y TIMIRG AND LOCKING STEERING WHEEL Filed Nqv- 17, 1919 4Sheets-Sheet. 5

\ 24M is Mao a6 mwm/ View @3 @wml MWWMWM Dec. 11 1923.

i, E. H.`v|NcEN'r TILTING AND LOCKING STEERING WHEEL Filed NOV- 1'7.1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. l1, 1923.

UNITED STATI-:s

PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD H. VINCENT, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TIL'I'IN'G AND LOCKING STEERING WHEEL.

Application filed November 17. 19.19. Serial No. 338,582.

To nl? urli-om t may concern.'

Be it known that I. EDWARD H. VINCENT. a citizen ot' the United States.and residing at Detroit. in the county ot Wayne and State of Michigan.-have invented a new and Improved Tilting and Looking SteerrnLlr Wheel,of which the following is a speeI`I- cation.

This invention relates to steering wheels for Inotor vehicles of thesame general ehnracter as that shown in my prior United States PatentNo. 1.269.341. dated June l1. 1918. and its object is to provide asteering wheel which may he locked to or unlofked from the steering rod,to provide a steering wheel `which may be tilted. whereby properclearance to permit the driver of the vehIele to easily enter or leavehis seat may he obtained. and to provide a `Wheel which may, at will. helocked to enable it to turn the steering rod or he unloeked te permit itto turn freely on the steering rod. eonneeting mechanism being providedwhereby the wheel is prevented from tilting when the wheel and steeringrod are caused to turn together and whereby the wheel is permit-ted tosimultaneously tilt and tnrn on the rod.

This invention eonsists in a Steering rod and a. steering head mountedthereon. a wheel earried by the head, a loelting bolt. to eonneet thehead to the rod when in one position and -to disf'onneet the head fromthe rod when moved to another position. anda key operated loeliV tosecure the locking holt in either position.

It further consists in pivots mounted in the head and in mounting theWheel on these pivots., and in means toprevent the wheel from tilting onthese pivots. Said means being operatively eonneeted to the locking boltand eontrolled by the same lock.

lt also consists in a bushing secured to the ,steering post and formedwith circumferential grooves. split rings mounted in these grooves. anda steering head fitting over the bushing, the here of the steering headbeing suh that the head will fit around these split rings .tand thusobtain line bearings.

It also consists in Securing one of the pivots for the wheel rigidly inthe head and in making it hollow. a spring heilig mounted in the pivotand a holt passing from a a spider arm of the wheel longitudinally intothe pivot. and ronneeting to the spring which thus eauses frietionbetween the spider and the head.

It also consists in making the other pivot ot' the wheel longitudinallymovable, and in connecting the locking bolt thereto, the moveIneI'It ofthe locking holt being controlled by a key operated lock.

It also consists in the details of eonstruf' tion illustrated in theaeeompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings. Fig. l is a plan of a steering Wheelembodyingr the present invention. Fig. 2 is n section on the line 2 2 ofFig. 1 on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-1-3 of Fig.2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line fl-xof Figs. 2 and 9. Fig. 5 is aser-tion similar to the section 75. shown in Fig. 2 with the lockingbolt Withdrawn. the parts being on a. s` aller scale. Fig. (5is,a,seetion similar to ig. 3 with the locking bolt shown "n withdrawnposi tion. Fig. 7 is an end e eration of the controlling lmob. Fig. 8is' a plan of a modified torni of .steering wheel. Fig. 9 is a sectionon the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig 10 is a seetion on the line itl- 1() ofFig 9. Figs. ill and l! ari` sert ions of this mod'tied strueturesimilar to Figs. and 6. iFig. 13 is an end elevation of the controllir." knob therefor.

Similar I'efereuee eharaeters refer to like parts throughout the severalviews. f

ll`he steering rod 1 shown in the druvvingrsi'y is of any desiredcharacter and size and i I preferably formed with an enlarged tape!E ingupper end which is threaded -to reee e the ont 2 and is made hollow toreceive the tube 3 and rod 4. To this rod 1 is secured a bushing 5,preferably cylindrical, wghich has a transverse hole 6 in the bottoni ofwhieh and in a hole in the upper end of the steering post is a pin 8which prevents the bushing from turning on the steering post. The pin 8may he omitted if desired. This pin cannot be removed to disconnect thebushing from the steering post it is 'slidably Y in position by theuntil the steering ,head has been removed from the bushing. Thissteering head consists of a, central cylindrical portion l2 and two arms13 and 13, The ends of these arms are preferabl at right angles to acentrai line passin t rough the center of the steering post. he steeringwheel has a rim 14 and a air of spider arms 15 and 16 provided wlthfaces 17 which engage the ends of the arms 13 and 13l of the steeringhead. An desired connection between the spidern the rim may be employed.

The arm 13 of the head is provided with n central hole in which isrigidly mounted a. sleeve 18 andin this sleeve is a spring 19 whichengages a washer 20 on the end of a stem 21 whose head 22 is on theoutside of the spider arm 15 of the spider. The sleeve 18 extends adistance into the spider arm 15 of the wheel and forms a pivot therefor'and the spring 19 pulls the face 17 of the spider arm 15 against theend of the larm 13 and thus causes frictions] contact.

The opposite arm 13a of the head is also bored in alinement with thesleeve 18 and in mounted the locking bolt 24 which is taper` atits innerend to fit the hole 6 in the bus in A stem 25 is permanently secured int is bolt 24 and extends outwardly through s, collar 26 which is heldpin 27. A spring 28 within this bolt 24 bears'a inst the collar 26 andnormally presses t e bolt 24 inwardly toward the steering rod.

35 The outer end of the Stem 25 is secured to the cylindrical pivot 30which is rovided with circumferential grooves 32 an 33. To

i the outer end of this' cylinder is secured the knob 34 to which areconnected the ins 35 which are'slidable in holes in the spi er arm 16and which pins may also enter the holes 36 in the end of thearm 13 ofthe head. This spider arm is pivoted on this cylinder 30. As thiscylinder 30 is connected to the stem 25, the s ring 28 will always tendto pull this cylinder and the kn'ob 34 inwardly toward the steeringpost.

Mounted in a boss 38 on this arm 13 is a cylinlrical lock body 39 whichis normally held inwardly by means of a spring 40. This lock 4body isprevented from turning by means of the screw pin 42 whose inner endenters n groove 43' in the barrel of the lock. This lock is providedwith a pin 44 which is pulled in when the key 45 is turned.' Thetapering inner end 46 ofthe body of this lock is adapted to lit in thegrooves 32 and 33.

When the parts are-in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cylinder30 and the bolt 24 are in their inner position and are prevented frommoving outwardly by means of the tapering end 46 of the lock body beingfitted 1n the groove 33 in the cylinder 30.

In Fig. 3, the pins are in the holes 36 in the end of the arm 13 of thehead and the head is locked to the bushing. The rim 14, the spider arms,the head l0 and the bushing now act as a unit with the steerin post andthe different parts cooperate as i? made of one piece. When it isdesired to leave unattended the vehicle upon which this steeringmechanism is mounted, the key is inserted in the lock and turned soas towithdraw the pin 44 from `the recess 47 in which it is shown seated inFig. 3. This releases the cylinder 30, whichcan be drawn outwardly bymeans of the knob 34, moving with it the locking bolt 24 which iswithdrawn from the hole 6 in the bushing. At the same time the pins 35are withdrawn from the holes 36 in the end of the arm 13 and the wheelis permi'tted to swin on the axis of the sleeve 18 and of the cylinder30. When the cylinder 30 has been withdrawn suiliciently far to bringthe groove 32 in alinement with the -point 46,01*' the lock body, the ke45 bein the loc in 44 comes in whereupon this released, the sprin 40will pus body inwardl until the alinement wit the recess 4 pin will beermitted to move out into this recess'47. or e forced into this recessby the turning of the key 45.

When the parts are in this position, which is shown in Fig. 6, thelockingii in 24 is entirely disengaged from the bus ing on the steeringpost and the wheel-can be freely turned with reference to this as wellas freely tilted on theaxis of the sleeve 18 and the cylinder 30. 'Thepins 35 can no longer register with the h'ples 36 und the wholeconstruction is useless as a steering wheel. i

To bring the structure again into operative condition, it is necessaryto insert the key 45,pull back the lock barrel to release thc cylinder30, and permit the spring 28 to pnlln-thc cylinder 30 until thel artsare in the position shown in Fig. 3. T le lock barrel is then permittedto slide buck to the position shown in Fig. 3 and thc key is turned tonormal position and withdrawn, thcrchy locking the parts.

ln order to prevent the flange 48 on lhe head f rom boing pressed downby means of a heavy chimp onto the bushing, which would enable a thiefto turn the steering post by means of the Steering Wheel, I have placedtwo split rings 49 within the bore of the cylindrical portion l2 of thehead. The bushingr is groovcd to receive these split rings :unl lhcrings nrc of such size that they beur on the interior of the bore ofthecylindricnl portion l2 of the head and the upper ring also hearsagainst the central portion 52 of the hond. 'lhis results in three linecontacts or bearings.

lt n ill be noticed that these rings 49 are so mounted in the groovesthat they cannot move cndwisc of the bushing. The bolt 24, when theparts are in the position shown in steering post llC mis paris. muy alllw iliiiiigml by tliosn siiillwi in the iii'tv without departing from[liv s-:i'iiiit nl my invention :1S Soit fiiitli in tliv fnllniviiigrnlaiiifis.

vlziini:

l. ln iziiiiiliiimiiuii. i1 :Quilting md 'ffii' iiintnz wiiiillis'. ulimiil rotatably niniiiitiiil tlii'- nii. :i ati-wringiihwl wiiiiiii liyiii@ liiiiii, :i twintig' bnl; lit-why the mil is iinriiizilly Hinwil inriuniti iiitli ilii liifiiil :incl wlieil. wifi ii'liwl wingintzitiililfl mi th@` ruil when tli-w wliiiig linlt, iS 'iiiimipoi'zitiw position, :imi iismiiis tu iiiiiiiifiiiii `iiiil liiikiiiyflimit iii Qiilwi' ii'iiizii ii'v ni' iiiniwizitivc poiiioneiiil wilt-il:ilsn liiii in;y iinntlwr iiiniii'inuiit in rv riiwt in ilw stiwiiiigi'riil :it :in :iiigli in thc um; Vi' iini'ifiiiint.

in mniliiiiiitioii. :i Hiini'iiig mil for mnmi ii-liiwlil-, :i limitiini: iiilzvly niwinitvii tlivi'vA mi, :i -ii i i'iii;5 iiliuilliii'iivil liy tlw liiiirl. inviting? iiifins ii'liiziiliy `thv Foil isnniiniillli' -.-iii;=fil to tiiin witili the limiti :iiiel wheel. snif!'wlinvl being' .Linililtzinonusly palpable if singular nmvenii'ntiilaniit tliv axis 0i' he roll :intl ltiiliv. :it :in iiiigli tilicrvtowhen tlw. lifi'lfizigj nii-nini limb` been Hinwil tn iiinpeiw tiwiinsitmi, limi means to iniiiiiiiii the liu-king iiimiiisl iniiinpnrzitiw position.

En miiiliiniitimi. :i` :atei-ring: i'iid for inw tui4 villiiclfs. henrimounted nii tlwl md, :i stwiiiig wheel carried liy the liesiil :milcapiililii it simultaneous singular iiirivemmrt about illu axis of thernd and oi' tilting :iii :in :iiiglv In Said axis, :i locking ileviii tucziiiw tht wlivel, hem] and mil tu tiir'n i0-- giiiiii'ei iinil tnprevent tlw ifliiel from tiltin;r wlw-ii snit] leu-king clvviii is 'inuimi'ntiic pw sltiriii. intl ai lmy npigi'iitml lmil( tn lmlcl iliillmfkiiigg iliwiw in operativo pi'isit'imi.

4. lii viiiiiliinatiun, n. situering rml tui inn4 im' iiiiliinl', nlievfiil iiiniiiitiii thii'inii. ii. htiiviing ii'liwi iitzililyiiifiiinii'il on thilieziil, icl vlicil unil liiiiil i'iiimili-l'i nl':angulai- "niwiil mi tlii` rmi. :i lurking ilviivi il tu mills-'.1 tliQwlwl. limiti :iwi iiiil 11.1

ixlicii flii' infleiiiV-"f www iw in nim!" imsriii'iii alici mliiiitmltu iiviiiiit tlii i .'iiifl limit in tiii'ii mi lw imi mel ilw lockadaptedto hold the locking device in operatlve or inoperative positionat will.

6. In combination, a steering rod for motor vehicles, a head rotatablymounted thereon, a steering wheel pivotall mounted on said head, thepivotal line oft e wheel passing through the axis of the rod and atright angles thereto, a radiali movable bolt mounted in the head and aapted to lock the head to the steering rod, a knob to withdraw the boltto inoperative siton, and independent means operated y the knob toconnect the wheel to the head to prevent the wheel from tilting.

7. In combination, a steern rod for motor vehicles, a head rotatalmounted thereon, u steering wheel pivots ly mounted on said head, thepivotal line of the wheel passing through the axis of the rod and atright angles thereto, a radially movable bolt mounted in the head andada ted to lock the head to the stee'ringir rod. a nob Vto withdraw thebolt to inoperative position, independent means operated by thc knob toconnect the' wheel to the head to prevent the wheel from tilting, and akey operated lock to secure the bolt in its outer position and thelocking bolt in its inoperative position.

8. In combination, a ste'erng rod for motor vehicles. a head rotatablymounted thereon. a steering wheel pivotall mounted on said head, thepivotal line of t ie wheel passing' through the axis of the rod and atright angles thereto, a radially movable bolt mounted in the head-undadapted to lock the head to the steering rod. n knob to withdraw thebolt to inoperative position, indopcndent means operated by the knob toconnect the wheel to the head to prevent the wheel from tilting, and akey operated lock to secure the lockinpT bolt in either operative orinoperative position and the knob in inner or outer position. Y

9. ln combination. a Steering rod for motor vehicles.` a head mountedthereon and having: substantially radial arms, ulined pivots mounted inthe arms radially of said rod, a steeriimr wheel comprising a rim andspider portions mounted on said pivots, one of said pivots beinglongitudinally movable, a handle mounted on the end of the movablepivot, and u piu connected to said handle and extending parallel to thepivots through u hole in the spider and adapted to enter a recess 'inthe end of the adjacent arm of the head to lock thc whccl from tiltingon said pivots when thc handle has been moved in.

10. In combination, n steering rod, a head mounted thereon for relativeangular movement about the axis of the rod, a wheel structure tiltablein respect to the head, and an element movable in the line of the axisabout which the wheel structure tilts for securing at will the headagainst relative rotation in respect to the rod.

11. In combination, a steering rod, a head mounted thereon for relativeangular movement about vthe axis of the rod, 'afwheel structure tiltablein respect te the head, i

an element movable in the line of the axis v'about which the wheelstructure tilts for se# l curing the headA at will against relativerotation in respect to the rod, and fonsecuring the wheel structureagainst tilting in respect to the head.

13. In combination, a steering rod, a hld mounted thereon, a ivot fixedin the head: a wheel structure ti table about said pivot, and resilientmeans embodied in said pivot within the confines of the head for drawingthe wheel structure against the head.

14. In combination, a steering rod, a head mounted thereon, an axiallybored ivot lixed in the head. a wheel structure ti table about saidpivot, and resilient means, Vembodied in said pivot for drawing thewheel structure against the head.

15. In combination, a steeringirod, a head mounted thereon, a ivot fixedin the head. a wheel structure ti table about said pivot. a memberpassing through said pivot and connected to the wheel structure, and reVsilient means housed in the head and cooperating with said member todraw the wheel structure to the head.

16. In combination, a steering rod, a headI mounted thereon for relativeangular movement about the axis of the rod, a whee structure tiltable inrespect to the head, anl an element movable in the line of the axleabout which the wheel structure tilts for securingr the head againstrelative rotation in respect to the rod at vvill` said element beingspring' pressed toward the position inv which it holds the wheelstructure from angular movement about the axis of the rod.

17. In combination, a steerin rod for motor vehicles, a head mountethereon, a steering wheel carried by the head, locking means whereby therod is normally caused to rotate with the wheel, said wheel beingcapable of rotation about the rod when the locking means are ininoperative position, and means to maintain said locking means in eitheroperative or inoperative position, said wheel also having anothermovement in addition toits rotary movement. i

18. In combination, a steerin rod formo-y tor vehicles, a head rotate.ly mounted thereon, a radially movable bolt mounted in the head andadapted to lock the head to the steering rod, a knob to withdraw thebolt to inoperative position, said bolt havit'r a `plurality ofrecesses, and a key opera lock having a member' to enter said recessesand secure the bolt in its outer or inner position at will.

19. In combination, a steering rod for motor vehicles, a head mountedthereon and having substantially radial arms, alined pivots mounted inthe arms radially of said rod, a steering wheel comprising a rim andspider portions mounted on said pivots, one of said pivots beinglongitudinally movable, a handle mounted on the end of the movablepivot, and a pin connected to said handle and extending parallel to thepivots through a hole in the spider and adapted to enter one or anotherof a series of recesses in the end of the adjacent arm of the head tolock the wheel in either of a series of positions from tilting on saidpivots when the handle has been moved in.

20. In combination, a steering rod for motor vehicles, a head mountedthereon, aligned pivots mounted in the head radially of said rod, asteering wheel comprising a rim and spider portions mounted on saidpivots, one of said pivots being longitudinallv movable, a handlemounted on the end of the movable pivot, a locking bolt eonnecled tosaid-handle and adapted to lock the head to the steering rod, a pinconnected to said handle and extending parallel to the pivots through ahole in the spider and adapted to enter a recess in the head to lock theWheel from tilting on said pivots when the handle is moved in, and aspring to move said handle inward and said locking bolt to lockingpisition.

21. In combination` a steering rod for motor vehicles, a head mountedthereon, a steering wheel mounted on the head, said wheel and headcapable ol" rotating on the rod, a locking device adapted to cause thewheel, head and rod to turn together when the locking device is inoperative position, said locking device embodying a longitudinallymovable bolt, and a key operated lock embodying a member movablelon,,riludinali ly at an angle to said locking` bolt to hold the lockingbolt in inoperative position.

22. In combination, a steering rod for motor vehicles. a head rotatablymounted there` on, a steering wheel pivotally mounted on said head. thepivotal 4lim` of the wheel passing through the axis ofthe rod at rightangles thereto` a 'adially movable bolt mounted in the head and adaptedto lock the head to the slecling rod. a knob to witln draw the bolt toinoperative position, and a key operated lock to secure the lof-kingholt in inoperative position, Said knob being` formed with a cylindricalrecess adjacent said head and said head being formed with a cylindricalflange extending into said recess and surrounding the locking bolt, thelength of said flange being greater than the total movement of the knobwhen moving said bolt to inoperative position. i

23. In combination, a steering rod, a steering head rotatably mounted onsaid rod, a steering wheel comprising a rim and two spider arms, saidspider arms engaging opposite ends of said head, pivots for said spiderarms mounted in said head, one of said pivots being longitudinallymovable, a lock mechanism connected to said movable pivot and adapted toconnect said head to said steering rod, and a lock to preventlongitudinal movement of said movable pivot.

24. A steering Wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a rim, means pivotally secured to said rim and tosaid steering ost, and means for positively locking said) pivoted meansto said steering post and to said rim.l

25. A steering wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a rim, means pivotally Secured to said rim and tosaid steering post, means for positively locking said pivoted means tosaid steeringr post and to said rim, and means for locking said lockingmeans in inoperative position.

26. A steering wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a rim, means pivotally secured to said rim and tosaid steering post, and means including a bolt for positively lockingthe pivoted means to said steering post and to said rim.

27. A steering wheel adapted to be Se cured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a rim. means pivotally secured to said rim and tosaid steering post. means including a bolt for positively lockingr thepivoted means to said steering,r post and to said rim, and means forlocking said bolt in the operative and inoperative positions.

'28. .f\ steering wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a rim, means pivotally secured to said rim and tosaid steering post, means including a holt for positivelir locking thepivoted means to said steering post and to said rim, a spring forresiliently retaining said holt in said locking position, and manuallyoperated means for reiracling the bolt.

2E). A steering wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a rim, means pivolally secured (o said rim and tosaidvsteering )0st, means incliuling a bolt for positively ocking thepivoted means to said steering post and to said rimma spring forresiliently retaining said bolt in said'locking position, manuallyoperated means for retracting the bolt, and means for locking said boltin retracted position- 30. A steering wheel adapted to be secured to thesteering post of an automobile, comprising a rim, a spider structuresecured to Said rim, arms pivoted to said spider structure and on saidsteering ost, and means for positively' locking;r sai( arms to saidsteering post and to said rim.

3l. A steering wheel adapted to be secured to the steering` post of anautomobile, comprising a rim, a spider structure secured to said rim,arms pivoted to said spider structure and on said steering post, meansfor positively locking said arms to said steering post and to said rim.and means for locking vsaid locking means in inoperative position'.

32. A steering wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a rim, a spider structure secured to said rim,arms pivoted to said spider structure and on said steering post, a boltfor positively locking,1r the arms to said steering post and to saidrim, a spring for resiliently retaining said bolt in said lockingposition, manually operated means for retracting the bolt, and means forlocking said bolt in operative and inoperative positions.

33. A steering Wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a hub mounted for rotation on spid steering post.a rim pivotally mounted on said hub whereby the rim may be turned from aplane normal to the rotative axis of the hub to a plane approachingparallelism therewith. and means for positively looking the hub forrotation with said steering post and the rim in a lane normal to therotative axis of Said huli.

34. A steering Wheel adapted to be secured to the steering post of anautomobile, comprising a hub mounted for'iotation on said steering ost,a rim` pivotally mounted on said hub w ereby the rim may be turned froma plane normal to the rotative axis of the hub to a plane appro-achingparallelism therewith, means for positively locking the hub for rotationwith said steering post and the Iim in` a plane normal to the rotativeaxis of said hub, and means for locking said locking means in operativeand inoperative positions.

35. A steering wheel comprising means adapted to be journaled to asteering post, a hand ring pivotally mounted on said journaled means,and means positively locking the journaled means to the hand ring.

36. In a steering wheel, a rotatable post, a collar ri id with saidpost, an operating handle, a pivoted leverage member Spinnin r freely onsaid post above said collar regard "iless of the position of said handlein its pivotal mounting and means for operativey connecting the leveragemember and said pxost and coincidently locking said handle om tiltingmovement.

37. In a device of the character described, a steering wheel adapted tobe tilted in relation to the steering post, means for operablyconnecting or disconnecting the Wheel from the post, and means forsecuring said wheel against tilting adapted to be manually operatedsimultaneously with and by the means for operably connecting thesteering Wheel with the steering post.

38. In a device of the character described, a steering post, an enlargedhead or bushing;r fitted to the post, a steering Wheell hub sleeved uponthe head, a steerin wheel having a Supporting frame pivote to the hub, aplunger carried by the steering Wheel adapted to enter a bore in theenlarged head to secure the steering wheel in operative relation to thepost, and a pair of bolts spaced apart and connected with said plun erfor simultaneous operation therewit, whereby the steering wheel muy besecured against tilting and in operative relation to the steering post.

39. In combination, a steering rod for motor vehicles, a head rotatablethereon. a radially movable bolt mounted in the head and comprising aninner member for engagement with the steering rod and an outer memberconnected to the inner member by means of a stein. a spring mounted onthe stem adjacent the locking bolt and adapted to force said lockingbolt inwardly, an abutmentior the spring. and a. knob connected to theouter end oi' the outer member Where by the lookin bolt and said outermember may be move outwardly.

l0. A steering wheel comprising a hand ring, a spider structure securedto the hand. ring. a connecting member journaled to said spiderstructure and mounted for rotation ou a steering post. and means forlocking the connecting member for rotation with the Steering post.

4l. A steering wheel comprisingir a hand ring, spiders secured 1o thchand ring, a. connecting member journaled to the spiders. a hubjonrnalcd in the connecting member and secured to a steering post, andmeans for locking the connecting member against rotation upon the hub.

42. A steering` wheel comprising a band ring, a spider structure securedto said ring, a connecting member journaled to said spider structure, anenlarged portion formed upon the connecting member and having a circularopening, a hub journalerl in the opening and secured to a steering post,and means carried by the connecting member for locking the hub againstrotation in said ciry cular opening.

43. A steering Wheel comprising a hand ring, a spider structure securedto said hand ring, a connecting member journalcd to said spiderstructure, a. hub journaled in thefconnecting member and secured to asteering till post. a spring pressed pin slidable in the connectingmember and adapted to engage the hub to ioek the Connecting memberagainst rotation upon the hub, and means for locking the pin fromengagement with the hub.

44. A Steering wheel comprising a henri ring, :i spider Structuresernred to the hond rino, a conne -tinggr member journaied to the spi erstructure. a hub rotatably hurried by the connecting member and seenredto a steering post, a spring pressed. pin elidahly mounted in theconnecting;v member und adaptedto engage the hub t0 lock the ronneetingmember against rotation upon the hub, and a lock carried by theconnecting: member and adapted to hold the Spring pressed pin Jfromengagement with the huh,r to permit the connecting member to rotatefreely upon the hub.

45. A Steering wheel mechanism rompi-isv ing a Sleeve secured upon uSteering Shaft. :i raeing member rotntahl': :ironnd Seid .nievre adaptedto be looked thereto, und o steering wheel jonrneled on Said easingmember nt :in axis transverse that of the Steering 'shaft to permitytilting of the Whee into different planes.

fifi. steering wheel eoml'irising n hand ring. `widerl secured to thehund ring. :i ronneeting member jonrnnied to Said Spidern :md mountedfor rotztion on .it Steering post. menne for 10i-king the r'onnertingrmomhor i'or rotation with the :owning poet. und means for retaining theepixziris in tixed punit ion on mid ronnerting memier.

4T. steering; wheel comprising n intnd ring. n spider structure securedto the hund ring, zz. eonnerting memher jonrnziled to .mid Spiderstrutture and mounted tor rotntion oli n .eitoerinl'glM post. nienlm foriw'liingg thv t'onnorting momiifr for rotation with the steering post.and resilient menne` inwrposed hetn'rtn lho Spider Hlrlirtllre :andiinron nee-ting mrmher Jfor reienfenhiy retaining! the hund ring;r in'.1 pinne :anhstnnlizeily perpendirnlnr to it4 mais of rotation.

491. ,Striring wheel l'omprisingl :l hond ring. n ronnrrt-ing memberjolnnnh-d to `mid rinry :1nd mounted for rotation on :i Litrrl'ing met.menne1 for inviting the ronnert ing' momv iler for rotation with tinsteering' poot. :1nd mozxlm for ri-tniningj tho lmnd ring in lixrilpoeiiion on :mid onore-ting momlwr,

lil. iwi-ing wlnoY vorhin-min; nimm' ndzipted to ho 'ioni-nailed to :istre-ring pon. n )mnd ring; pirotnlly monniod on :nid jonrnnlod menne.und mmm` I'or lorhinfj thejonrnnied :nonne to tinl stri-ring' pmt.whore-ily the torepn of the Steering uitrol is ironAv Knitted throughsnid yionrnnlwi minne to Huid steering; post..

it). etrex-ing wiwi-i wonipriein'n :i hand ring, n spider etrlntnrrerr'lirrd to thtl i rime. n connut-tingnwmler ionrnziim to spiderstructure and mounted for rotation on a. steering post., :ind a heyoperated ioek for cansinrr the steering post to turn with the connectingmember and for preventing the hand ring' und Spider structure fromturningr on the Connecting member.

51. A steering wheel comprising n hand ring. a spider structure securedto the hand ring, a Connecting: member jonrnaled to said SpiderStrutture. and a hey' operated lock for Causing the steering ost to turnwith the connecting member w ien the look is in one position and topermit the eonnertin; lr memier to turn on the steering. post when theioelr is in a second position. said steering post and said look havingparts; whirh may engage to prevent the removal ol the wheel from the rodwhen the 'ork is in its I#avond position.

512. A steering Wheel comprising o hand ring'. n spider strnrtnresernred to the hand ring. n ronnerrting memher jonrmiled to Suid spiderestrnrtnre :ind mounted tor rotation on n steering post. n ino' operatedlori( for musing the steering poet to torn with the ronnerting mornin-r:ind for preventing the hond rin,f ar :ind spider strot-tore i'romturning' on the ronnerting mrmiwr when Suid loi-k is: in om' position:1nd for releasing the steering post. :ind the hund rin r and spiderstructure from the Vnunet-ting member when the loek is in n serondposition, und means ortnnted hy sind lot-lt' to seizure the lofk ineither ol' `mid two pohitions.

53. eterring wheel romprising ai lmnd ring. :i spider strnrtnre sernredto the hand rin;r und ndnpted i'or rotation on the axis of n. steeringpost :ind :i tilting movement :it :in nngh' to the post` :l key operatedlock for ruiming' the steering post to turn with tin* .rpiderAetrnrtnre` 5l. steering Wheel romprieing n hund ring;` :i upidervetrlntnro Sorlin-1| to the hond rinfj und :nhiptrd for rotntion on theaxis ot :i steering post und :1 tilting movement :It nn angle to thepost. u key opel-:lied lock when in one position permitting :ind when inanother position preventing the spider strnrnre from rotation on the:lxiel of the post, :ind menne to positirelir Sernle Suid lurk in eitherof the two positione.

55. steering' wheel romprising n hand ring` :i lepidor trui-turesin-lured to the hand ring. n ronnwtiny' nnmhor piroted to Suid nimh-reUni-torn :unl mounted l'or rotntion on n Steering post. :ind :l keyronllollod lool(- inj: holt for rousing* the steering poet to tnrn withthiI ronnortingf member.

.'it, in romhinntion` n rotntnlile steering rod. :l n'hwl hond mountedthereon. il steel" ing wheel strnrtnro iiitnlile on snid wheel hond.:ind ini-:lim to sinndtnneonsiy rontro1 the rotation of the rod h v nidwlnrl hond :ind rho tilting ol' thil steering wheel on the iii-nii.

57. In combination, a rotatable steering rod, a wheel head mountedthereon, a steerin wheel structure tiltably mounted on said wheel head,means to control the rotation of the rod by said wheel head, and meansto oontrol the tilting of the steering wheel on the wheel head.

58. In combination with a rotatable steering rod, supporting meansmounted thereon, a steering wheel structure embodying a hand rim and aspider tiltably mounted on said supiorting means, and 4key controlledmeans a opted when in one position to prevent rotation of the rod by thesteering wheel structure and allow tilting of the wheel structure onsaid supporting means and when in another position to allow rotation oithe rod by the wheel structure and prevent tilting of the wheelstructure on said supporting means.

59. In combination with rotatable steering rod, sup rting means mountedthereon,` a steering w eel structure embodying a hand rim and a spidermovably mounted on said supporting means, and slidable locking means adated when in one position to prevent rotation of the rod by the steeringwheel structure and allow movement of the wheel structure on saidsupporting means and when in another position to allow rotation of therod by the wheel structure and prevent movement of the wheel structureon said supporting means.

60. In combination with a rotatable steering rod, sup rting meansmounted thereon a steering w eel structure embodying a hand rim and aspider movably mounted on said supporting means` and key controlledmoans slidable to two positions at an angle to the rod and adapted whenin ofiepositionlto prevent rotation ot the rod by the whe' structure andallow movement of the Wheel structure on said supporting means and whenslid to another position to allow rotation of the rod by the wheelstructure and prevent movement of the wheel structure on said supportingmeans.

61. In combination 'with a rotatable steer. ing rod and a. head carriedthereby, a wheel structure movable on said head, a movable lock, andreleasable means movable by the operation of the lock to control therotation of said rod by said head and the movement of said wheelstructure on said head.

EDWARD H. VINCENT.

